WO-S grad Anderson nets SLC honor for Pokes

Published 11:50 am Wednesday, February 6, 2019

 LAKE CHARLES – Former West Orange-Stark standout Aidan Anderson, now tossing at McNeese State University, and outfielder teammate Shane Selman were named to the 2019 Preseason All-Southland Conference list as second team members, the league office announced on Tuesday.

Anderson, a senior, was McNeese’s best pitcher last season. He led the Cowboys in a number of categories such as ERA (3.30), opposing batting average (.220), saves (6), appearances (28), games finished (21), hits allowed (49), and runs allowed (30). He was also second on the team in strikeouts with 71, behind only his brother Grant who had 72.

He will look to improve his positioning on the McNeese baseball statistical leaderboards as well, currently sitting tied for 5th in saves, 10th in lowest opponents’ batting average, and 2nd in strikeouts per nine innings.

Anderson was a four-year varsity starter for WO-S, helping lead the Mustangs to the Class 4A state title game in his senior year. As a senior he collected a 11-3 record on the mound tossing 81 innings and allowing 10 earned runs on 34 hits and 106 strikeouts for 1.15 ERA.  He had All District honors all four years in high school. He won all six playoff games pitching complete games on the way to state finals game.

Selman, a senior from Lake Charles and Barbe High School product, ranked second on the team in slugging percentage (.473)and runs scored (38) last season, third in hits (60), fourth in batting average (.273) and on-base percentage (.365), tied for second in runs batted in (32), and lead the team in homeruns with 10.

After being drafted in the 39th round by the Boston Red Sox in last year’s MLB Draft, Selman decided to return for his senior year in hopes of winning another conference championship and improving his draft stock.

He will also look to improve his positioning on the McNeese baseball statistical leaderboards, where he currently sits 10th in at-bats, fourth in home runs, and sixth in total bases.

Sam Houston State, Northwestern State, Incarnate Word, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, and Southeastern La. led all teams with three preseason all-conference selections apiece while Abilene Christian, New Orleans, Stephen F. Austin, and McNeese placed two; and Nicholls, Central Arkansas, and Lamar with one to complete the two all-conference preseason teams.

“This recognition was well earned by Shane and Aidan,” said head baseball coach Justin Hill. “They are well respected around the league.”

The McNeese baseball team is set to open up the season on Friday, February 15 at 6 p.m. at UTSA.

The home opener for the Cowboys will be on Tuesday, Feb 19 at 6 p.m. at Joe Miller Ballpark.